11 quotes
Schooling and Accountability in Matilda's Life
Mr. Wormwood
I can't believe that! Talking to me like that. How dare they! I'm getting fined because of you!
[turns to Matilda]
Matilda Wormwood
It's not my fault! You forgot to send me to school.
Mr. Wormwood
Yeah, well you're going to school now, and you're gonna meet The Trunchbull.
Matilda Wormwood
The Trunchbull?
Mr. Wormwood
Agatha Trunchbull. Headmistress of Crunchem Hall.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Nature of Teaching and Cruelty
Jennifer Honey
This isn't teaching. This is cruelty!
Agatha Trunchbull
Cruelty? Well, yes. Of course.
Lavender Brown
Go on, boy.
[slips her pet newt Isaac in the water pitcher]
Agatha Trunchbull
You did say it was going to be fun.
Jennifer Honey
But this isn't fun!
Agatha Trunchbull
Miss Honey, you are pathetic. You are weak. You are wet. You are, in fact... ...a snivelling, little... ...newt.
[pours the water from the pitcher in the cup; takes a slurp out of the cup; sees Isaac in the cup she drank from; screams in horror at the discovery of Isaac's presence in the water cup]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Conflict Over Pigtails in Matilda's World
Agatha Trunchbull
Amanda Thripp.
[draws out the handheld speaker part of her microphone; Matilda and the children stare at Amanda, who looks frightened by the Trunchbull's presence]
Amanda Thripp
Y-Y-Yes, Miss Trunchbull?
[stammers nervously]
Agatha Trunchbull
What have I said about pigtails? I hate pigtails.
Amanda Thripp
But my mummy loves them. She thinks they make me look pretty!
Agatha Trunchbull
Well, your mother is a TWIT!
[pulls Amanda's pigtails and spins Amanda in a circle before launching Amanda above the fence like a hammer throw]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Demand for Release and Freedom
Agatha Trunchbull
Let me down! Let me down! LET ME DOWN!
[last words]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Unexpected Encounter with a Newt
Agatha Trunchbull
Oh, God, the newt! It's in my... IT'S IN MY KNICKERS!!! IT'S IN MY KNICKEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRSSSSSSS!!!!!!!
[panicking and screaming as Lavender's pet newt, Isaac, wriggles down her back]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A School of Rebels
Agatha Trunchbull
This school... is full of rebels.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Importance of Imagination and Freedom
Matilda Wormwood
Escapologist, escapologist
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Power Shift in the School Dynamics
Jennifer Honey
It’s over. This is my school now. Run.
Agatha Truchbull
(YELLS, SHOUTS AND SCREAMS AT ONCE)
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Family's Unconventional Conversation About School
Matilda Wormwood
Do you want to hear about my first day at school?
Mrs. Wormwood
Yuck. I'd rather eat vegetables.
Mr. Wormwood
It's official, I'm a genius! My losing streak is over. This fella comes into the lot. Huge he was. Great big bear of a man. And this bear of a man wants a luxury car.
Mrs. Wormwood
Oh, lovely. But do bears drive?
Mr. Wormwood
No. He's not a real bear.
Matilda Wormwood
Do you have a luxury car?
Mr. Wormwood
I've got two, boy.
Matilda Wormwood
I'm a girl.
Mr. Wormwood
One with a smashed-in front, and one with a smashed-in back. All I gotta do is cut them in half, glue them together and Bob's your chipmunk. Daddy's back.
Matilda Wormwood
But isn't that illegal? And sort of, well, wrong?
[Mrs. Wormwood gasps]
Mr. Wormwood
What'd he say? Wrong? Wrong? Give me that. The Grapes of...Idiot! How can grapes be angry? Hey? What utter junk!
[snatches the library book out of Matilda's hand]
Matilda Wormwood
It's not about grapes.
Mrs. Wormwood
Back-yakking! The little madam!
Matilda Wormwood
I'm not back-yakking!
Mr. Wormwood
Don't you back-yak me! I'll rip this book up in front of you.
Matilda Wormwood
No, it's a library book!
Mrs. Wormwood
Go on, do it. Go on.
Mr. Wormwood
There! There! Now get to bed, you little bookworm.
[tears the pages of the library book]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Standing Up Against Bullying
Matilda Wormwood
Leave him alone, you stupid horrible bully!
[seeing the Trunchbull stretching Eric's ears]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Challenge to Find a Missing Child
Agatha Trunchbull
Go and see if that child is still alive.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.